The building stands on an awkwardly shaped site not far from the new Tate Modern gallery south of the Thames. The heterogeneous urban fabric is reflected in the new structure. The front of the building, facing on to Southwark Street, is boldly contrasted with the rear. While the latter rises in three steps to the top and is distinguished by narrow slit windows, the 36-metre-long north face overlooking the main road is fully glazed. The exposed concrete skeleton-frame structure visible through the facade is based on a 4.50-metre grid. A curtain-wall system was used for the street face. It was developed by a subcontractor, but refined to achieve a more elegant profile.

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